44: Escape

Furthermore, before a stable order was established in the early stages, no matter how much money one had, the rooms assigned were basically communal bunks for thirty or forty people. Single rooms or apartments with separate rooms were only allocated to those who had made significant contributions to the Safety Tower. Others could only exchange for a single room through bartering after three years.

Ai Yue was extremely tempted by this massive benefit and immediately patted her chest, guaranteeing she would get him home safely.

After all, Ai Yue had full confidence in her marauder, and Gu Xiheng shared that confidence!

While the few of them were discussing, several people from the checkpoint opposite suddenly began walking toward them.

It was unclear what that group had discovered, but as they drew closer, they suddenly retreated in full alert and used their walkie-talkies to notify someone.

A moment later, five combat vehicles drove out from the direction of Changyuan City.

Ai Yue saw that the newcomers were hostile. It was useless to try to get Gu Xiheng out of the car now; it seemed her family had indeed become entangled in a struggle between the upper-class elites.

“Run! They’re actually playing for keeps. It looks like they really intend to declare independence! They won't stop until they've kept me here,” Gu Xiheng said with a cold sneer, sitting in the passenger seat with his injured leg propped up.

Ai Yue had no choice but to listen to him. The people opposite didn't look like they were in the mood for explanations, so it was better to flee quickly.

Just as Ai Yue was turning the car around, the vehicles behind caught up and unleashed a barrage of gunfire at the marauder.

Fortunately, the marauder lived up to its reputation as the so-called 'most unstoppable vehicle in the world.'

It remained unscathed amidst the hail of bullets, though its speed wasn't as fast as the opposition's. Even with Ai Yue driving at the maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour, they could only take the beating while being suppressed.

Seeing that they couldn't do anything to Ai Yue, the pursuers overtook her and blocked the road with their vehicles, trying to force her to stop.

Ai Yue knew clearly that in the clash between these two forces, her family was like an egg—easily crushed. Therefore, it was impossible for her to obediently stop and hand over her family's lives to the other side.

Ai Yue gritted her teeth, floored the accelerator, gripped the steering wheel tight, and crashed straight into them.

At this moment, Ai Yue felt incredibly lucky that she had purchased this car. It was simply amazing!

The opponent's vehicle was like a toy car in front of the marauder; it was sent flying, while the marauder sped away without losing any momentum.

More and more cars joined in from behind, chasing and trying to intercept Ai Yue's vehicle. The scene was incredibly thrilling!

It felt exactly like an exciting car chase sequence from a foreign blockbuster movie!

Seeing they couldn't force the marauder to stop, the opposition created obstacles on the road ahead. Normal obstacles could be leveled by the marauder, but they had somehow found two heavy trucks to block the road completely. This time, there was no way for Ai Yue's marauder to break through.

“What do we do? This road is blocked,” Ai Yue said, a bead of cold sweat forming on the tip of her nose from tension.

“Don't panic, listen to me. I know a way to lose them. Reverse and turn right,” Gu Xiheng said calmly just as Ai Yue was feeling lost.

Ai Yue had no other choice but to grit her teeth and follow his lead.

She jerked the steering wheel, and under her control, the marauder plunged into a small path on the right.

This road was full of potholes and numerous obstacles, making it nearly impassable for normal cars, but fortunately, it was no match for the marauder.

The pursuers from Changyuan City followed the path Ai Yue and her family had carved out, sticking close to the marauder's tail. Fortunately, the difficult terrain caused many cars to have accidents as they chased. Eventually, only a few remained persistently following them.

Following Gu Xiheng's directions, Ai Yue finally managed to shake off all the pursuers, though everyone inside the car was left dizzy and nauseous from the jolting.

Gu Xiheng's wounds had all reopened, and he was feeling a bit faint. Ai Yue had to find a hidden spot to stop and treat his injuries.

After a brief rest, the group ate some simple food and didn't dare delay any longer, continuing their journey on the road.

Along the way, they were discovered and intercepted multiple times, but fortunately, they managed to escape danger every time thanks to Ai Yue's superb driving skills and Gu Xiheng's directions.

Ten days later.

Travel-worn and weary, the group finally arrived at Yingjin City.

During this time, because Gu Xiheng was in the car, Ai Yue's family didn't dare eat anything good. They could only satisfy their hunger with the compressed biscuits left in the car as snacks for Da Wang. Having eaten compressed biscuits for nearly ten days, their mouths were practically tasteless.

Ai Yue desperately hoped to deliver Gu Xiheng to his destination quickly so her family could enjoy a hearty meal together.

Thinking of the sweet and sour spare ribs, fried chicken, and tender braised bones in her space, Ai Yue's mouth began to water.

Da Wang had been throwing a tantrum for the past few days. He knew perfectly well that since Gu Xiheng joined them, he hadn't eaten any meat, so he would occasionally bare his teeth and growl at Gu Xiheng.

After several days of sharing life-and-death situations, Ai Yue's family had become much more familiar with Gu Xiheng, and their conversations had become more casual.

“Gu Xiheng, are you sure Yingjin City is safe? I don't want us to walk right into a trap. Should we observe for a bit before going in?” Ai Yue asked Gu Xiheng, who was sitting in the passenger seat. Although she wanted to drop him off early, her life was ultimately more important.

Gu Xiheng didn't say anything, peering outside intently for a while. After a moment, a smile appeared on his face as he said, “Don't worry, it's very safe!”

Although Ai Yue was confused, she didn't ask further. She knew what kind of person Gu Xiheng was; if he said there was no problem, then there likely wasn't. After all, he was famous for being meticulous, as cunning as a fox, and ruthless in his actions.

Ai Yue was about to drive into the city when Gu Xiheng stopped her: “The Safety Tower isn't inside the city. Take that fork on the left.”

“What? Not in the city? How can it not be in the city?” Ai Yue was slightly surprised. According to her understanding, Safety Towers were always chosen in cities with stable geographical structures, built as high towers based on the city's existing buildings.

Why was it different here?

“You're surprised? Why must a Safety Tower be built inside a city?” Gu Xiheng looked directly at Ai Yue, trying to read the expression on her face.

From the moment he woke up in the car, he felt something was off about Ai Yue's family. He always felt they were somewhat detached from the entire Apocalypse, but after observing them for so many days, he hadn't found anything particularly special about them.

He kept every word the three members of Ai Yue's family said and every action they took in his heart, mulling over them repeatedly, trying to figure out where the sense of strangeness came from.

Ai Yue realized she had misspoken and said with a faint smile, “Naturally, I'm surprised. Because the news broadcasts have always said the Safety Towers are being built in major cities, I naturally assumed they were inside the cities. Is there a problem?”

“Of course not.” Gu Xiheng gave an inscrutable smile and said no more.

Ai Yue kept wondering to herself if this man had discovered something. She felt like he was constantly testing her.

No, she had to stay completely sharp when talking to him. This fox-like man must never discover that she had a space and a mountain of food, otherwise, her family's fate would surely be miserable.